CYCLING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 286, 2 December 1936, Page 21

CYCLING.

WITH THE AMATEURS.

MANUKAU CLUB

Grass track racing at Ellerslie and Otahuhu provided the only racing last week, while a moonlight run through to Hamilton was organised by the touring section.

Gordon Cunningham, with 120 yds in two miles, won at Ellerslic, with the consistent Ted Mynott in third place. At Sturges Park Mynott rail second in the uvo-'iniler, while Len Beutli was third in the half-mile- These three riders race in every event for which they are eligible and should be in tine form for the grass track meetings at Rotorua on Boxing Day. Whatawhata on New Year's Day ai)d Hamilton on Saturday, January 2.

The double meetings at the two lastmentioned Waikato towns are sure to be well patronised, especially as the Xew Year holidays fall so xety conveniently on this occasion. The Hamilton meeting will be held on Steele Park, where in 1928 Mai Byrnes defeated Frank Grose in a race which thoroughly delighted the crowd.

As a gesture to Jack Lovelock, no races will be held next Saturday, but the scratch race meeting will be held the following week, for which 17 members have entered. They will find the Papatoetoe pedallers at their best after almoet two months of steady competition.

Members will all join in wishing Miss V. E. Baird every success in her proposed attempt to lower the ladies' record of 4h 22m for the Auckland-to-Hamilton journey of 80 odd miles. Xo serious attempt has as yet been made by any of the silent sex to tackle- such records, although several are just waiting for someone to break the ice. Bill Walker is a rider who has all the attributes of a distance devourer. A fortnight ago he rode up to Waipu Beach 011 the Saturday and returned next day. Only folk familiar with the northern highways can realise the stamina necessary for such a ride. The Albany Hill, on the route of the great northern championship race, is receiving attention and the reduction of the grades will make the northern races less severe; a mountain into a mole hill for most riders. Three big meetings will be held at the Western Springs Stadium next year. On February 2-5 the Manukau Club will vun its annual championship, on February 24 the provineial title events will be decided and on March 6 the national title events, when talent from all over the Dominion will be present. Members will be pleased to learn that Jock Norman will be racing at the scratch race meeting. He has made a good recovery from the accident when riding to work early this year. In preparation for the long Christmas tour of 800 miles, several members are getting in some long rides every weekend, and the 40-hour week is favouring them. Others are dubious of gears for the trip, but with the three-speed system a low under 50 should suffice for the Taupo and Waikaremoana hill country.